Roseselsa Distant Mountain

A Retro Headphone with lots of style but poor tuning

The Roseselsa Distant Mountain is an on-ear headphone that immediately catches your attention with its distinctive retro styling. With its vintage-inspired design and modern features like MMCX detachable cables, it aims to appeal to both style-conscious listeners and audio enthusiasts looking for something different from the mainstream.

While the Distant Mountain’s visual appeal is undeniable, its audio performance presents a more complex story. Out of the box, it offers a sound signature with rolled-off bass (common in on-ear designs) and a pronounced treble peak that can be fatiguing. However, with some thoughtful EQ adjustments, these headphones can transform into a much more enjoyable listening experience.

This review explores whether the Distant Mountain successfully balances its fashion-forward design with audio performance that can satisfy discerning listeners.

Unboxing and Build Quality

The Distant Mountain comes in attractive packaging that reflects its retro aesthetic:

Opening the box reveals a well-presented product:

Inside the box, you’ll find:

• The Distant Mountain headphones
• Detachable MMCX cable
• User manual
• Warranty card

The inclusion of the anime ‘statue’ sort of matches the retro theme of the headphones:

My daughter loved the whole design when I showed her, and I think she will probably take the Distant Mountain when I am finished reviewing it.

Build Quality

The Distant Mountain features a build that combines vintage aesthetics with modern functionality. The headphones have a solid construction with a mix of materials that give them a premium feel despite their mid-range price point.

The earcups have an attractive design with a clean, minimalist look:

One of the most notable design decisions is to use a MMCX connector for the cables rather than a more typical dual 3. 5mm connector. I gues this was due to size considerations:

While MMCX connectors offer the advantage of cable replaceability, it’s an unusual choice for full-sized headphones. The connectors are quite small and can be difficult to remove without a proper MMCX removal tool, which isn’t included in the package.

The cable itself is of decent quality for the price, though nothing exceptional:

Fit and Comfort

The Distant Mountain uses an on-ear design, which means the earpads rest directly on your ears rather than around them:

I personally do not find them comfortable they have a large clamping force on my head. While issues with sound can often be solved with EQ, comfort is something that cannot, that said my Daughter who briefly borrowed them, told me she thought they were comfortable on her head.

The earpads have moderate cushioning, but the on-ear design inherently creates more pressure points than over-ear alternatives:

The headband has an adjustable mechanism to accommodate different head sizes:

The headband itself has some padding, but could benefit from more cushioning for extended listening sessions:

In terms of comfort, the Distant Mountain presents some challenges. As with many on-ear designs, extended listening sessions can become uncomfortable as pressure builds on the ears. This was particularly noticeable in my testing, where I found the comfort to be one of the weaker aspects of these headphones. However, comfort is highly subjective, and those accustomed to on-ear designs may find them perfectly acceptable.

It’s worth noting that the headphones can be used with alternative earpads,:

Sound Impressions (Out of the Box)

The Distant Mountain’s stock sound signature has distinct characteristics that will appeal to some listeners while potentially disappointing others. For those used to a neutral or even a V-Shaped sound signature will be disappointed with the sound as the lack of bass and especially the treble will be problematic.

Bass

As is common with on-ear designs, the bass is somewhat rolled off. There’s a noticeable lack of sub-bass extension, which reduces the impact and rumble in bass-heavy tracks. The mid-bass has better presence but still lacks the fullness that over-ear designs can provide.

Track Reference: “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish – The deep bass lines lack their usual weight and impact.

Midrange

The midrange performance is reasonably good, with vocals coming through clearly. There’s decent detail retrieval in this range, allowing acoustic instruments and vocals to shine.

Track Reference: “Hotel California” by Eagles – The acoustic guitars and vocals are presented with good clarity.

Treble

This is where the Distant Mountain has its most significant issue. There’s a pronounced treble peak that can make cymbals, hi-hats, and sibilant vocals sound harsh and fatiguing, especially during longer listening sessions.

Track Reference: “Take Five” by The Dave Brubeck Quartet – The cymbals can become piercing and uncomfortable at higher volumes.

Soundstage and Imaging

The soundstage is relatively intimate, as expected from an on-ear design. Imaging is decent, allowing for reasonable instrument separation, though complex orchestral pieces can become somewhat congested.

Track Reference: “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen – The multi-layered vocal sections maintain reasonable separation, though not as expansive as with some over-ear alternatives.

Comparison with OKCSC M1

I thought possible a quick comparison with a recent on-ear headphone that I reviewed the OKCSC M1 ( which is grado inspired headphone you can get for a similar price to the Distant Mountain):

The Distant Mountain has a more refined and original design that doesn’t attempt to copy another brand’s aesthetic (unlike the M1’s Grado-inspired look). While both are on-ear headphones have some sound signature challenges (no sub-bass and peaky treble), the Distant Mountain offers a more unique visual identity and better build quality.

In terms of sound, both headphones have treble peaks, but the Distant Mountain’s issues are more easily addressed with EQ. The Distant Mountain also has a more consistent frequency response when measured in different positions, making EQ corrections more effective.

Specifications and Measurements

Here are the official specifications for the Roseselsa Distant Mountain:

Frequency Response

The frequency response measurements:

Key observations:

• A roll-off in the sub-bass region
• Relatively flat midrange
• A significant treble peak that contributes to the fatiguing sound

Distortion

The distortion measurements show acceptable performance for a headphone in this price range:

EQ Recommendations

One of the Distant Mountain’s strengths is how well it responds to equalization. Since the treble peak is consistently in the same frequency when measured in different positions, it can be effectively addressed with parametric EQ.

Here are my recommended EQ settings:

These adjustments significantly improve the listening experience:

• Reduced treble peak to minimize fatigue
• Slight bass boost to compensate for the roll-off
• Preserved midrange clarity

For a fuller EQ here is a more expansive EQ that attempts to solve more :

Preamp: -4.5 dB Filter 1: ON PK Fc 80 Hz Gain 2.3 dB Q 0.500 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 190 Hz Gain -1.4 dB Q 0.900 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 490 Hz Gain 1.5 dB Q 1.000 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 2700 Hz Gain -10.7 dB Q 2.000 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 3900 Hz Gain 3.8 dB Q 2.000 Filter 6: ON PK Fc 5000 Hz Gain -5.5 dB Q 2.000 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 6000 Hz Gain 1.5 dB Q 2.000 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 7800 Hz Gain 5.0 dB Q 0.500

With these EQ adjustments, the Distant Mountain transforms into a much more balanced and enjoyable headphone. The harsh treble is tamed while maintaining detail, and the bass gains some much-needed presence without becoming overwhelming.

I decided to measure the ‘real effect’ of the EQ above, and while it wasn’t quite as effective as I hoped, it certainly solved most of the problems and brought the headphone into acceptable territory:

Ultimately, I loaded this PEQ onto a simple Walkplay USB-C Dongle and I have been enjoying this headphone for a few hours:

Rating Explanation

The Roseselsa Distant Mountain earns a 3.5-star pragmatic rating for several reasons:

First, its striking retro design is genuinely appealing and stands out in a market full of similar-looking headphones. For style-conscious listeners, this alone makes them worth considering.

Second, while the stock sound has issues, particularly with the treble peak, these problems are relatively easy to address with EQ. Once properly equalized, the Distant Mountain provides a more pleasant listening experience that belies its price point.

Third, the build quality is solid, with thoughtful design touches and detachable cables that enhance longevity.

The main drawbacks are the lack of bass, the specific comfort issues that I have with the heavy clamping force and the somewhat awkward MMCX connector implementation, which can be challenging to use without the proper tools.

For its price and target market, the Distant Mountain represents good value, especially for those who appreciate its aesthetic and don’t mind applying some EQ to optimize the sound.

Who is this for?

The Distant Mountain is ideal for:

• Style-conscious listeners who value retro aesthetics
• Those who don’t mind (or even prefer) on-ear designs probably with a smaller head
• Listeners willing to apply EQ to get a better sounding device
• People looking for a distinctive headphone that stands out from the crowd

It may not be suitable for:

• Anyone wanting some sub-bass
• Those who prioritize comfort for extended listening sessions
• Purists who prefer not to use EQ

Conclusion

The Roseselsa Distant Mountain is a headphone with a split personality. Its visual design is a clear winner, offering retro appeal that few competitors can match. The sound, however, requires some intervention to be acceptable.

With its striking aesthetics, I would hope the Distant Mountain succeeds in bringing others into the hobby with cool retro styling, as evidenced by my daughter’s enthusiastic response to these headphones. This alone is valuable in an industry that often prioritizes technical specifications over emotional connection to the product.

After applying the recommended EQ adjustments and pairing with a USB-C dongle, these headphones become genuinely enjoyable to use, striking a good balance between style and substance. While they won’t replace audiophile-grade headphones for critical listening, they offer a fun, distinctive alternative that can introduce newcomers to better audio quality while satisfying their desire for stylish accessories.

In a market segment where compromises are inevitable, the Distant Mountain makes the right ones, focusing on distinctive design while ensuring the sound can be optimized with minimal effort. For that reason, it earns its 4-star rating and a recommendation for those seeking something different from the mainstream.